Afghan troops banned from asking US-led troops for help: Karzai

Afghan President Hamid Karzai says security forces will be banned from asking US-led foreign troops to conduct air raids in the country under “any circumstances.”
“I will issue a decree tomorrow that no Afghan security forces, in any circumstances, in any circumstances can ask for the foreigners' planes for carrying out operations on our homes and villages,” said Karzai.
He made the remarks during a Saturday speech at the Afghan National Military Academy in the capital, Kabul.
“Our forces ask for air support from foreigners and children get killed in an air strike,” the Afghan president added.
Karzai apparently referred to an overnight US-led airstrike on February 13, where at least 10 Afghan civilians, including women and children, lost their lives in the country’s eastern Kunar Province.
The Afghan president further expressed happiness about the withdrawal of US-led forces from Afghanistan by the end of next year.
“I have been arguing with the foreign troops, don't bombard our houses, don't go to our villages, don't disrespect our people. And we hear our forces partnered with foreign forces are violating human rights,” Karzai said.
He also reiterated that Afghan forces would be able to defend the country after the withdrawal of foreign troops.
The Afghan president said, “America is not the owner of this country, Pakistan is not the owner of this country, Germany is not the owner of this country, France is not the owner of this country.”
We will show the world that we can protect our country on our own, Karzai added.
The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 under the pretext of combating terrorism. While the war removed the Taliban from power, insecurity continues to be high across the country.
MKA/HGH/SL